JAMES CITY Co., Va. - A pedestrian has died after a crash in the 6400 block of Centerville Road early Tuesday evening.
James City County Police and the James City County Fire Department responded to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian around 5:40 p.m.
Now, a Williamsburg woman is mourning the loss of her friend. She continues to seek answers on the details of his death but is focused on remembering the good times.
Erin Larson, Friend of pedestrian that died, "It was very upsetting, it was hard to hear."
Family and friends know William Holland, the pedestrian killed as Tommy. Erin said his death is a hard pill to swallow.
"We worried about him walking and if he would be out after dark, you know just not get home in time before the sun went down. We would worry about him" said Holland.
Larson said 68-year-old Holland would walk everywhere he went.
"I asked him one time, I said Tommy why don't you use the bus system and if it's a financial thing we can help you, and he said no, walking makes my day go by faster. I think in a way it's something he enjoyed to do" said Larson.
Although it brought joy to Holland to walk, it was a concern for Larson. According to James City County police they have responded to 13 vehicle and pedestrian crashes, in 2021. 2 of them were fatal.
Michael Hipple, Chairman of James City County Board of Supervisors said, "We're going to start looking and talking about possibly as far as some lights, we've got a couple of traffic lights that are going to eventually go on Centerville road."
City Council members and police said they're aware of how busy this road is, but Holland was not using the sidewalks in the area.
"This has taught me time and time again just give the people you care about a hug and tell them what you think and how you feel because you never know" said Larson.
Police say the pedestrian, a male, was taken to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
According to the preliminary investigation, William Thomas Holland, Jr., was wearing dark colored clothing while walking partially in the road when he was struck by a vehicle.
Holland was first struck by a 1997 Chevrolet SUV being driven by a 70-year-old James City County resident.
Police say it is believed that Holland was subsequently struck by a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 41-year-old James City County resident. Neither driver reported seeing him in the road, officials say.
No other injuries were reported.
The area was closed for about three hours while the investigation took place.
The crash remains under investigation; however, no charges related to the crash are expected.
A friend of Holland spoke with News 3 about him and shared the photo above.
